Video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy and extended transsternal thymectomy (T-3b) in non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis patients: Remission after 6 years of follow-up

Renato Mantegazza, Fulvio Baggi, Pia Bernasconi, Carlo Antozzi, Paolo Confalonieri, Lorenzo Novellino, Luisella Spinelli, Maria Teresa Ferrò, Ettore Beghi, Ferdinando Cornelio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET) as a treatment for myasthenia gravis (MG) and to identify prognostic factors for thymectomy success. Clinical efficacy and variables influencing outcome were assessed by life-table and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Complete stable remission (CSR), as defined by the MGFA Medical Task Force, was the end point for efficacy. VATET was performed in 159 MG patients and T-3b in 47 MG patients. At 6 years of follow-up, CSR, assessed by life-table analysis, was 50.6% in non-thymomatous VATET patients and 48.7% in non-thymomatous T-3b surgery. By univariate analysis, the presence of thymic hyperplasia (P=0.0002) and treatment only with anticholinesterases (P

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-36
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Neurological Sciences
Volume212
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 15 2003

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Predictive factors
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymus
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (VATET)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ageing
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Surgery
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience(all)

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